For the very fortunate commuters in Northern Virginia a walk outside the back down and a hop in your helicopter gets you up and over the traffic and on to your destination. In case you think it isn't possible just ask the lucky homeowner who lives across the Occoquan River from me. Indeed he has his own helicopter pad in his back yard!

For the rest of us we need to find the more usual routes to get ourselves from our homes to work. If DC is your destination you have multiple choices from all points on the compass to head into town. For those who live in Stafford, Prince William and Fairfax County you can hop on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) at one of 22 stations throughout the area. Both the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines have three stops at major locations in Crystal City, L'Enfant Plaza and Union Station.

VRE System Map

For those who don't live close to a VRE station then the Metro gives you even more options to consider. With stops throughout the city and Northern Virginia area the metro is a popular solution to avoiding sitting in traffic at the Springfield Interchange. With metro trains running from 5 am to midnight on weekdays and 7am to 3am on weekends you won't have a problem finding a schedule to get you where you need to be when you need to be there. Parking lots are available at all of the stations and the "kiss and ride" lane is great if you are being dropped off in the morning.

One of the unusual transportation choices in our area is our famous "slug lines." Whenever you try and explain this organized hitchhiking form of getting into town to new residents it brings puzzled looks. The concept is simple. Our high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes headed into DC from the south require 3 people in the car. So drivers stop at designated spots throughout the area and load 2 additional commuters in their car headed to a similar destination and they are able to take advantage of the HOV lanes. The process is very organized and the rules of etiquette are well known. No smoking, little or no talking, no complaining and a free ride is yours. Pick up hours in the morning run the similiar hours to the HOV lanes 6 am to around 8:45 am and in the evening from 3:30 pm to 5:45 pm.

Slug Line Maps

If you decide to go it alone and hop in your car and drive then turn your radio to WTOP (103.5FM or 820AM) and listen for "Traffic on the Eights." If you hear the words backup on the Dulles Greenway, accident on I-66, or congestion at the Springfield mixing bowl then put on your favorite CD and be prepared to wait it out!

If you need help finding your next home in Northern Virginia give me a call at 703-346-2213. As a native of the area I can show you transportation options in neighborhoods throughout the area.

Middle Valley is a community of detached homes sited on 1/4 acre lots. The homes were built by two highly respected builders, Ryland Homes and NV Homes, However, the majority of Middle Valley homes were built by Ryland Homes.

Commuting

• The main entrance is on Gambrill Road just about one mile from the Gambrill Park and Ride Lot at the Fairfax County Parkway where you can board
• Fairfax County Commuter Bus Route 305 for the scheduled 8 minute ride to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station and board subway trains to the Pentagon, Washington, DC and all other atations in the National Capital Area
• Fort Belvoir is approximately 20 minutes via Rolling Road
• Springfield Interchange (I-95, I-395 and I-495) is approximately 10 minutes. See Springfield Commuting Crossroads

Schools

• Elementary age children attend Hunt Valley Elementary
• Middle school children attend Washington Irving Middle School
• High school students attend West Springfield High School
• Pohick Regional Library is within 15 minutes

Shopping and Recreation

• There are two neighborhood shopping centers within approximately 10 minutes - Huntsman Square Center and Saratoga Shopping Center.
• South Run Rec Center - a Fairfax County park facility with year round pool, exercise facilities and many other activities is approximately 10 minutes
• Burke Lake Park - a Fairfax County park with golf, small boat rental, camping and picnic facilities is within 15 minutes

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time experience in the Springfield area. Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

Kings Park, with models named King, Queen, Duke, Prince, etc, is located just west of the Capital Beltway (I-495) off Braddock Road. It is a popular community of 1,100 homes that were built in the 60s. There are five basic models - two colonials, one split foyer, one cape cod and one rambler. They are Richmarr homes who was the one of the premier Springfield developer/builders during the period. Of course, over time, many of the homes have been refurbished and had additions added. This gives the community a uniqueness and character that can only be developed over a rather lengthy period of time.

Commuting

• Metrobus Route 17 operates in Kings Park with service to the Pentagon Bus Terminal
• The VRE Rolling Road Station is within 10 minutes with service to Washington, DC
• Entrance to the Capital Beltway (I-495) is approximately 10 minutes
• Fort Belvoir is less than 30 minutes via Rolling Road

Schools and Library

• Kings Park is in the Lake Braddock Secondary School Pyramid
• George Mason University is a few miles west on Braddock Road.
• Approximately 15 minutes from the Pohick Regional Library

Shopping

• Kings Park Shopping Center is just outside Kings Park at Rolling and Burke Lake Roads

• Two neighborhood shopping centers, Old Keene Mill Center and Cardinal Forest Plaza are approximately 10 minutes from Kings Park at the intersection of Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads - one has Whole Foods and the other has Giant Foods

Recreation

• Audrey Moore Rec Center in Wakefield Park with its year round pool and gymnasium plus a myriad of other sports and activities is within 10 minutes
• Wakefield Skate Park is also in Wakefield Park next to the Audrey Moore Rec Center
• South Run Rec Center with year round pool, exercise facilities and other activities is within approximately 20 minutes.
• Burke Lake Park with golf course, camping, picnic areas, small boat rental, fishing, carousel, miniature train and ice cream parlor is approximately 20 mimutes
• Lake Accotink Park with small boat rental, fishing and picnic facilities is within 15 minutes.

The Links Below Are Always Connected To The Area Multiple Listing Service
The Listings Are Updated Every Hour

To View Available
Kings Park Homes
Click Here

To Search For All Available
Springfield and Northern Virginia Homes
Click Here

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time real estate experience in the Kings Park and Springfield area.

Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

Cardinal Forest Condominiums, located between Rolling Road, Carrleigh Parkway and Forrester Boulevard, are extremely popular with all buyer age groups. The reason is simple

• Centrally located in Springfield
• Just a few blocks to shopping
• There are more than 1,000 units featuring brick construction
• Elementary, Junior and Senior High schools are less than 10 minutes away

Commuting

• Metrobus Route 18G Express Service to the Pentagon Metro Station operates on Forrester Boulevard The scheduled time to the Pentagon is 30 minutes This would be a good transfer point if you are continuing on to Washington, DC
• Fort Belvoir is approximately 15 minutes south via Rolling Road to US 1.
• Slug Lines are available on Old Keene Mill Road across from Cardinal Forest Plaza

Schools and Library

• Cardinal Forest Elementary
• Washington Irving Middle School
• West Springfield High School
• Pohick Regional Library is about 15 minutes away at Old Keene Mill and Sydenstricker Roads

Shopping

• Shopping is nearby at either Cardinal Forest Plaza or Old Keene Mill Center at Old Keene Mill and Rolling Roads.

Recreation

• Audrey Moore Rec Center in Wakefield Park with its year round pool and gymnasium plus a myriad of other sports and activities is within 10 minutes
• Wakefield Skate Park is also in Wakefield Park next to the Audrey Moore Rec Center
• South Run Rec Center with year round pool, exercise facilities and other activities is within approximately 20 minutes.
• Burke Lake Park with golf course, camping, picnic areas, small boat rental, fishing, carousel, miniature train and ice cream parlor is approximately 20 mimutes
• Lake Accotink Park with small boat rental, fishing and picnic facilities is within 15 minutes.

The Kruschka Team has 33 years full time experience in the Springfield area. Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.